Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham is widely regarded as one of the brightest young talents in the league. At only 23 years old, he is a potent offensive force, capable of going toe-to-toe with some of the best players in the NBA.
In the offseason, however, Cunningham seems to be enjoying himself, leisurely taking on fans in pickup games. In a recent video, the Pistons star showed up with Ausar Thompson for Jalen Duren Day in Duren’s hometown in Pennsylvania to give back to the community.
While there, he engaged in a friendly 1v1 with a fan while keeping his shades on.
Cade Cunningham hooping with fans in the park in the off-season 🔥pic.twitter.com/nadW72pBJz
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) August 25, 2025
Although several other people were playing in the park, the guard comfortably got to his spot and scored with ease. His patient and casual approach to breaking down a defender drew the attention of fans on social media. Here are some of the reactions to the video from X.
“Cade’s moves are smoother than my weekend plans, gotta love that park energy,” said one fan, appreciating the guard’s approach to offense.
“He’s so tough,” agreed another.
“NBA players be having the craziest ball security in the most simple ways,” observed one fan.
“He’s dressed like an undercover cop,” added one user.
One fan addressed the surrounding situation and said, “That many ppl in the court during any 1v1 is crazy, but while an NBA player is there?”
Another directed his comment at the fan and said, “You should have left buddy alone, he went about 12%.”
Meanwhile, another user addressed how Cunningham relied on the most basic fundamental move, claiming, “I knew he was going to the hook.”
“Signature hook,” agreed another.
“Genuinely has one of the best hook shots I’ve seen from a guard,” stated one user, praising the star’s skill.
“Minimal effort cooking,” added another.
Cunningham’s deliberate approach to offense is a clear indication of the difference in skill between the average player and a professional. However, the 23-year-old takes this a step further, considering that he maintains the same composure while playing against significantly stiffer competition in the NBA.
The Pistons’ star is a true student of the craft. While his offensive creativity leans towards efficiency over flair in some capacity, he is an extremely competent player. By utilizing simple moves to get the most productive outcome, Cunningham ensures that he can deliver the best results with every trip down the court.
Last season, the guard notched an average of 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game, while shooting 46.9% from the field and 35.6% from beyond the arc, earning his first All-Star selection in the process.
In a short span of time, Cunningham has risen to stardom and grown in stature as a player to keep an eye on in the upcoming season. The Pistons are also emerging as a team that could make some noise in the Eastern Conference. With Cunningham at the helm, Detroit could be due for a resurgence as a perennial playoff team.
